Author: Central Desk

CentralBDC, the largest privately held outsourced BDC in the automotive industry marked a significant milestone by acquiring of AutoAwards, a prominent provider of loyalty and marketing solutions in the automotive and marine dealership sectors. This development follows previous acquisitions of PowerBDC and Better Car People (BCP), underscoring the company’s dedication to crafting a premier customer loyalty and engagement platform that revolutionizes communication between automotive OEMs, retailers, and consumers. Fostering Profitable Dealerships The primary aim of CentralBDC is to bolster profitability for dealers and OEMs by delivering the finest customer engagement technology available. By integrating AutoAwards into its portfolio, CentralBDC can…

A sense of uncertainty prevails in Kokomo as the city’s auto workers gear up for a probable strike initiated by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union against the triumvirate of automakers – Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, should labor negotiations remain unresolved by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday. The impending strike would lead to over 150,000 auto workers abandoning their jobs, encompassing approximately 6,000 Stellantis employees stationed in Kokomo. UAW Local 1166, the representative body for more than 1,000 workers employed at the Kokomo Casting Plant, is at the epicenter of the disagreement. The plant is responsible for producing integral parts…

Demonstrating a shared commitment to global supply chain resilience, India and the United States have voiced their support for the construction of a robust semiconductor supply chain while also reaffirming their dedication to sustaining high-level dialogues between governmental bodies, industries, and academic institutions. This resolve was solidified during a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joseph Biden, wherein both leaders advocated for ongoing efforts to transform the India-US Strategic Partnership founded on trust and mutual understanding. This significant meeting transpired shortly after President Biden arrives in New Delhi to attend the G20 Summit, presided over by…

Responding to a surge in thefts targeting specific Hyundai models lacking push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices, Hyundai Motor America is partnering with local authorities and organizations in St. Louis County. The joint venture with St. Louis County, St. Louis County Police, the City of Jennings, and the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis will offer complimentary anti-theft software upgrades to impacted Hyundai owners on September 9 and 10 at the Urban League parking lot, 8960 Jennings Station Road. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to supplement Hyundai’s national network of dealerships and promote the installation of Hyundai’s…

Global automotive powerhouse, Stellantis, marked a pivotal moment in its pledge to sustainable mobility by unveiling its flagship Battery Technology Center at the Mirafiori complex, Turin, Italy. This pivotal €40 million investment catapults Stellantis to the forefront of battery design, development, and testing – crucial components for the forthcoming generation of Stellantis brand electric vehicles (EVs). With a workforce exceeding 100, predominantly consisting of upskilled Stellantis employees, the center not only stands as the most expansive facility in Italy but also ranks among the largest in Europe. Expanding the Global Battery Infrastructure The Mirafiori Battery Technology Center is a keystone…

Global transport solutions leader, Scania, has recently launched its revolutionary digital dashboard, Smart Dash, setting the stage for a new era of intelligent, secure, and enjoyable truck driving experiences. This initiative underscores Scania’s steadfast dedication to revolutionizing the transport industry, making it more intelligent and sustainable. Designed with state-of-the-art digital solutions, Smart Dash offers a modular build that provides a secure, connected, and comforting environment for drivers. It enables optimal control over the truck and its surroundings, with subtle prompts from the truck’s intelligent companion whenever potential hazards are identified or specific actions are needed. This innovation allows limitless customization…

Previously, Tesla’s remarkable profit margins set it apart from rivals, serving as proof for its bull investors of the company’s unmatched potential in the EV sector. This bolstered Tesla’s stock to an astonishing $1 trillion valuation. Yet, 2023 sketches a divergent narrative. This year witnessed Tesla’s profit margins take a sharp descent, falling beneath the company’s benchmark. The primary trigger is significant price deductions initiated early in the year, which, despite pressuring profit margins, drove deliveries to record levels. To sustain sales velocity, Tesla found it necessary to continually adjust prices downward. This decision surfaces against the backdrop of escalating…

Audi unveils its groundbreaking electric charging hub at Munich’s Obersendling district, furthering a trajectory of innovation and sustainable mobility. The Munich hub, situated strategically at Zielstattstrasse, establishes itself as the brand’s fifth electric gem, following successful ventures across Nuremberg, Zurich, Berlin, and Salzburg. With the prowess to deliver up to 320 kW of charging power, this facility presents four rapid-charging stations primed for reservations. Bastian Geretshauser, steering the Munich project, sheds light on the unique facets of these hubs. “We ensure constant charging power by means of the power cubes. They consist of used lithium-ion batteries from decommissioned research vehicles…

Elevating sustainable e-mobility solutions, Henkel, the revered German industrial and consumer goods conglomerate, has forged a formidable alliance with AVL, the world’s premier mobility technology enterprise. The focus of this collaboration rests on harnessing AVL’s avant-garde simulation and testing apparatus for EV battery evolution. Nestled within Düsseldorf lies Henkel’s freshly launched Battery Test Center, where the intricate journey of battery enhancement commences with digital blueprints. Here, battery prototypes undergo rigorous virtual examinations and subsequent refinements, aiming to sculpt and assure impeccable processes for OEMs and suppliers during battery production. Henkel’s distinguished TISAX-certified Battery Engineering Center boasts a seamlessly attached Test…

The spotlight on automobile safety grows brighter as the US government intensifies its campaign to recall a staggering 52 million air bag inflators, manufactured by the Tennessee-based ARC Automotive Inc. The peril is the inflators, once activated, may eject deadly shrapnel, posing severe threats to passengers and drivers alike. This Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) unambiguously classified these inflators as defective. This determination paves the way for a public hearing on October 5, an essential process before the agency can appeal for a court-mandated recall. The roots of this dispute trace back to May when the NHTSA…